Formal grading is not a traditional part of kickboxing or muay thai, its most direct martial arts ancestor. However, modern karate competition, market forces and scoring concerns have led participants to create different ways of grading or rating a kickboxer. Different organizations and circumstances will determine which one is most appropriate for a particular athlete.
Competition Record
This is the closest thing to a traditional grading method for kickboxing. Under this metric, a kickboxer is graded entirely on his win-loss record in sanctioned competitions. The record is expressed in three numbers, in order. A kickboxer with a record of 5-3-2 has fought 10 matches, won five, lost three and fought two to a draw. If a fighter competes in different divisions or regions, he may have a different record for each.
Tournament Ranking
Similar to the competition record, this method of grading considers only how often and well a kickboxer has placed in tournaments. It's usually expressed much like a bio or curriculum vitae -- a list of his first-, second- and third-place accomplishments. Kickboxers at the professional level will also include the belts won by defeating a reigning champion.
Belt Ranking
The influence of traditional martial arts on the fight sport market has led some kickboxing programs to adopt a colored belt system of rank grading for their student body. These systems vary by organization, but most often conform to the rank system of typical Japanese styles. This progression is white, yellow, orange, green, purple, brown and black.
Celebrity Status
For professional kickboxers, their degree of media exposure and celebrity appeal can be as important in moving up the ranks as their actual competition record and other grading metrics. This is difficult to measure objectively, but includes the number of appearances a fighter has in the media and the general tone of those appearances. For example, a television spot is better than a newspaper article, but a favorable write-up is better than a negative radio interview.
Posted in: Kickboxing